A tragic incident involving a traditional method of heating has claimed two lives and left one woman fighting for survival in Jharkhand's Palamu district. The accident occurred in Phuldiha village under the Hussainabad police station limits on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.
Family of BSF Jawan Devastated
The victims all belonged to the family of BSF jawan Mithilesh Ram, who is currently posted in Manipur. The officer-in-charge of Hussainabad police station, Sonu Kumar Choudhury, confirmed the heartbreaking details.
The deceased have been identified as Maya Kumari (18), the jawan's daughter, and Mularo Kuarn (65), his mother-in-law. The jawan's wife, Kiran Devi (45), was critically injured and has been admitted to a private hospital in Daltonganj.
How the Fatal Accident Unfolded
According to the police investigation, the family retired for the night on Thursday in a room where they had placed a traditional earthen pot room warmer, known locally as an 'angithi' or 'chulha', beneath their cot. They had lit a fire inside the earthen pot to ward off the winter chill.
The door and windows of the room were tightly shut, creating a sealed environment. Police Officer Choudhury explained the deadly science behind the accident: "Such fires consume oxygen rapidly and fill the room with toxic smoke, primarily carbon monoxide."
The silent, odourless gas likely built up as the family slept, leading to suffocation. Post-mortems conducted at the Hussainabad sub-divisional hospital on Friday confirmed that the two women died of suffocation.
Aftermath and Immediate Response
Upon receiving the devastating news, BSF jawan Mithilesh Ram immediately flew from Manipur to Jharkhand to be with his family. The local community in Phuldiha village has been left in a state of shock by the sudden tragedy.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with traditional indoor heating methods, especially during the winter months in rural India. Authorities often warn against using such heaters in poorly ventilated spaces, but the practice continues due to lack of awareness and access to safer alternatives.
The police are continuing their investigation while the family mourns an irreplaceable loss. The condition of Kiran Devi in the Daltonganj hospital remains a primary concern for the authorities and the bereaved jawan.
